WDAE's Dan Sileo back on air

WDAE-AM 620 talk-show host Dan Sileo was back on the air Friday, a week after being suspended for making comments about the financial state of Tampa Bay Bucs owners, the Glazers.

On Oct. 29, Sileo said the Glazers had lost $400-million in the Ponzie scheme of imprisoned Bernie Madoff and an impending debt payment likely would force the Glazers to sell the team. Bucs co-chairman Joel Glazer denounced the report and Clear Channel Communications, which owns WDAE, retracted the story, issued an apology and suspended Sileo.

However, Sileo, 45, returned to his usual 6-9 a.m. time slot Friday morning, making a few passing references about his suspension, but not talking about it directly and never mentioning the story that landed him in trouble. In his opening comments, Sileo joked, "I have learned I have the fattest pictures of me on the internet.'' Later, he referred to his time away as a "sabbatical'' and asked, "How does my tan look?''

Apart from that, it was business as usual for Sileo, who used his opening segment to praise Gators linebacker Brandon Spikes, who is suspended for one game after attempting to gouge the eyes of a Georgia player last Saturday. Several callers told Sileo they were happy he was back on the air. Sileo thanked them and then continued with the sports conversation.

Bucs director of public relations Jeff Kamis said, "We appreciate Clear Channel taking swift action on this matter by issuing their retraction and apology.''

WDAE is the local AM flagship station for the Bucs, and it's unclear if Sileo's comments will affect Clear Channel's relationship with the Bucs. Clear Channel signed a 10-year deal with the Bucs in April of 2004.

Comments

[jjoe hillman]

truly a sad day in tampa bay.

[Dan Oka-silly-dilly-dokie-o]

OKA SILLY DILLY DOKIE-O. I'M AN IDIOT.

[Patrick]

This is pitiful, how does this idiot stay on the air?

[Joe Buck]

He proves his childish mentality though his childish comments. He's just like the kid in 8th grade who is suspended for something stupid but thinks he's the big man on campus for it. Everyone else knows he's a fool who is not going to grow up. I bet that was Dan when he was in the 8th grade.

Patrick asks how this idiot stays on the air. Well if ratings play a part, he won't be on much longer. 1010's show beats his show (I am not sure how since 1010's show is just as pathetic).

[Mike A]

He is not my cup of tea either but I find him not nearly as annoying as the self righteous almighty self proclaimed big dog. That guy is the biggest tool EVER. Let me get this straight, you host a TALK radio format and then tell all of the listeners you don't know what I know therefore you are a idiot and hang up or berate the caller because he is not in the "know". Well if you know Big Dog then SHARE. And stop with the political read between the lines comments also. I don't need any mixing of FOX News while listening to sports commentary. Sileo may be a goofball, but we know up front he knows this too. Big Dog doesn't realize he is a joke and takes himself serious. That guy is the one who needs to go.

[Phil]

at least we'll all be able to remember the phone numbers to call the station. Just count how many times he says the phone numbers on-air, it's incredible. I guess that's how he fills his air time. Certainly isn't with good sports talk.

[Mr. Ed]

Dan,

Welcome back... and let that be a lesson to you... you should never call-out the wealthy sports franchise owners... don’t you realize that everything they do is to help you! Besides, do you actually think a bunch of rich fatcats would question the obvious trust violations of one of their own. Thanks to the Bucs... Man-U is doing just fine.

[Just an average listener and Buc Fan.]

His ratings must be pretty good, or Clear Channel would not have brought him back so soon.

I hope that the Glaziers remember this idiot when it becomes time to re-negotiate their contract with Clear Channel.

This kind of false information should not be tolerated either by the Glaziers or the listeners ( I used to be one ).

His B.S. about ( a source ) giving him the information was probably some drinking buddy jock, with an issue with the Glaziers, or Bucs.

[Barry]

I don't know what is more ridiculous: What Sileo said or that this is what it takes to get the Glazers to wake up and come out of hibernation.

[Ed in Dunedin]

I'd rather the Bucs go 0-116 than have this moron back on the airwaves.

[AntiSileo]

Listen to real sports talk. The Swarm with Marc Benarzyk. Weekdays 3pm on ESPN 1040

[jjoe hillman]

>>> The Swarm with Marc Benarzyk. Weekdays 3pm on ESPN 1040 <<<

is that the clown who can't even get a 0.1 rating?

[champabay@yahoo.com]

For what's worth. I spoke to an official with the station. Sileo doesn't get paid by WDAE. This is all done for free. The station has no costs for him. I listened to him in San Francisco in the late '90s. Same thing, in your face create controversy style. Not a partcularly educated individual.

[Susie]

WDAE doesn't need him back, he's a jerk, there are so many better people out there who can do a better job. I won't even listen to his show, and won't turn on the station until 9:00. Blah....Tampa Bay doesn't need him.

[McBob]

Another goofball sports radio punk.. no intelligence.

[mizz]

big dog sucks. mark benarzyk really sucks. and dan sileo is horrible. only good sports radio in this town is from 9am-12pm. Then Rome from 12p-3p.

[John]

I enjoy listening to Dan in the morning.I disagree with him on some things but I find him to be well informed on alot of stuff. Welcome back Dan.

[Paul]

Agreed about the Big Dog. He has some good points, but I am SO sick of hearing "I know things that you don't know, so trust me on this." Whatever. Anyone can claim anything if they don't have to back it up with a credible source.
I actually like Sileo a little better. He's not that bright, but he's willing to call a spade a spade. He is brutally honest, gives credit where credit is due, and calls out those that deserve it, even if its his alma mater or a close friend. I have to respect that.

[Philosopher]

Sileo denounces people of faith (Tim Tebow) with regularity and loses a lot of potential listeners because of it. His boorish behavior will eventually get him fired.

[Joe Cool]

Sileo has worn out his welcome in our community and he will soon be looking for other employment elsewhere.

[John]

Back just in time for Sileo to rejoice in the Yankees' World Series Win.

[Dick Weed]

Silkeo=superficial, simianlike, sophomoric=kinda like Tom Jones

[Tom]

Sileo just doesn't bring anything intelligent to the table. His condescending approach leaves me bewildered how such mental midget can behave in such a way. The most interesting comment was hearing other weekday hosts and support folks at WDAE tell me they listen to other stations before 9 AM....not even their own....while Sileo is on the air. Speaks volumes....

[Rocky]

He's a pure, unadulterated dope. He went to "The U."

[Cat]

Enjoy Dan S. Actually hear about the USF Bulls at times.

[SC-Carl]

I guess order has been restored to the idiocracy known as AM sports talk radio Tampa Bay. The terms idiot, moron and imbecile are medical terms. I am not sure of the pecking order of intelligence but, in my opinion, Dan Sileo's intelligence level represents the lowest common denominator. I wait no longer than 30 seconds each time I tune the radio to his station for him to say something rock stupid. It gives me a peaceful feeling of the constancy of the universe. The exceptions are when there is a commercial.